(3) NYCE vs (6) GAME OF ZONES
D3 Playoffs (1st Round) – Wednesday, March 15, 7pm at Fashion HS
| Team Notes | Team | Score | Team | Team Notes |
| NYCE has a big, tough, and physical front court that can dominate a game on the defensive end. What they can get offensively from their guards is usually what determines if they can win the game. If NYCE can slow the pace down and use their advantage in the paint, they are the favorites to advance to the semis. |  NYE 4-3 |
46-42 |
GOZ 2-5 |
In their regular season meeting, it looked like GAME OF ZONES had it won until NYE’s late comeback to steal it. That was one of GOZ’s best games as a team, and (G) Tommy Zheng wasn’t even on the floor. This is a scrappy team that will put up the effort, and Zheng gives them the dynamic scorer they need. |
| Key Player: D. Cunningham
NYE (F) DaVaughn Cunningham is the team’s best defensive player, and he controls the game on that end. He can also score, and has made some big shots this season in crunch time. NYCE’s chances start with his all-around play. |
 Pos: F10.1 ppg 8.3 rpg 2.1 bpg |
 Pos: G 18.5 ppg 4.0 rpg 1.5 spg |
Key Player: Tommy Zheng
It took awhile for Zheng to join the GOZ roster as he recovered from an early season injury, but he was a perfect fit as soon as he stepped on the floor. He’s the play-maker they have need all season. His speed and shooting can force big mismatches. |
(3) F.K.A.L.J.S vs (6) TEAM COLISEUM
Premier Playoffs (1st Round) – Wednesday, March 15, 8pm at Fashion HS
| Team Notes | Team | Score | Team | Team Notes |
| F.K.A.L.J.S. just played COL last week and it went to the last shot. They survived, despite not playing well in their last 2 gms. That tends to fluctuate with their roster, which is always short-handed. If (G) David Kalema and (F) Tom Killiam are there, FKA has serious firepower. And (C) Mike Holsey‘s defensive presence is key. If any of these guys are missing, it might be 50/50 here. |  FKA 4-3 |
66-61 |
COL 2-5 |
The record is not strong, but TEAM COLISEUM has played better as of late. (F/C) Michael Hickman is a defensive force in the paint, and their offense has picked up with (F) Jimmy Noel and (G) Kashean Allston giving (G) Landon Glover some support on the wings. If they keep up their strong play, this might be a case of a team getting hot at just the right time. |
| Key Player: Tom Killiam
Killiam is an athletic forward who is as adept at finishing in transition as he is elevating to hit the jumper. It’s his athleticism that gets him open shots, they’re mostly indefensible. If he gets hot, he can put up a lot of points in this game. |
 Pos: F25.3 ppg 7.0 rpg 3.3 apg |
 Pos: G 18.4 ppg 10.6 rpg 3.4 apg |
Key Player: Landon Glover
The veteran Glover is arguably the Premier’s most versatile guard, but the 3’s & FTs haven’t been going in as much this season, both of which are go-tos for Glover late in games. This could be fatigue for doing so much, but it’s all or nothing now. |
(4) TEAM SIX vs (5) WE HAD GAME
Premier Playoffs (1st Round) – Wednesday, March 15, 9pm at Fashion HS
| Team Notes | Team | Score | Team | Team Notes |
| This hasn’t been TEAM SIX‘s most focused season. The former champs and perennial contenders seem to have been looking ahead to playoffs all season. Now they’re here, and it’s now or never to start opening it up. They certainly have the roster to do it. (G) Brett Swanson can heat up at any moment and rookie (G) BJ Davis has given them a player with an extra gear this season. | SIX 4-3 |
65-66 |
WHG 4-3 |
This is a demonstrably better team, but nevertheless, WE HAD GAME is back in the 5 seed. Part of that has to do with key players being out, their top 2 scorers have played only 3 games each. But, at full strength, WHG is still a serious contender. New faces (G) Jordan Schultz and (G) Zack Simmons add knock down range and savvy to a team that was already solid on that front. |
| Key Player: P. McClelland
McClelland has had some games in which he has looked unstoppable this season, but like his team overall, it just hasn’t been very consistent. Still, the match-ups should bend in his favor, so if he can heat up in this game, it could be his world. |
 Pos: F15.4 ppg 4.8 rpg 0.6 spg |
 Pos: F 27.3 ppg 5.0 rpg 2.0 apg |
Key Player: Ezra Ritchin
You wouldn’t know it to look at him, but Ritchin is the most relentless scorer in the Premier. He just keeps attacking you in the paint and he can also hit the 3. Ritchin’s FG efficiency is through the roof, and to top it all off, he’s a feisty defender, too. |